Question : Reduction in Import of Coal

(a) whether India is the world’s third largest coal producing country and the fourth largest coal importer and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the extent to which the import of coal has been reduced due to availability of surplus coal in the country;
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy to ensure surplus availability of coal for power plants across the country and if so, the salient features of the policy and the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
(d) whether there is a need for technologies that involve both pre-processing of coal as well as reduction of emissions through improved combustion and environmental controls and if so, the steps taken / proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR COAL, POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) As per International Energy Agency (IEA), India was the third largest producer and second largest importer of coal in 2014 in the World.
(b): On account of increased production coal imports have fallen from 217.78 Mte in 2014-15 to 199.88 Mte in 2015-16. The trend of fall in import of coal has continued in 2016-17 wherein for the period April 2016-January 2017, coal imports have reduced by 2.59% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. However, import of coal is not solely dependent on the domestic production of coal. It also depends on other factors like power plant designed on imported coal and insufficient availability of coking coal of required grade.
(c): Yes Madam. A policy for allocation of coal to power sector is under formulation.
(d): Technology development is a continuous process and Government has laid emphasis for updating the technologies by coal companies for both coal production as well as coal preparation. Coal companies have already adopted appropriate technologies for coal mining as well as pre-processing of Coal. In regard to combustion of coals for power generation, power sector has also adopted high efficient low emission technologies like super critical technology in line with the Policy of Government to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

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